Regional Cooperation Council Board amends statutory documents to reflect EU-mediated agreement on Kosovo* regional representation

The new RCC Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic (first left) chairs the first meeting of the RCC Board in 2013, in Sarajevo on 28 February 2013. (Photo: RCC/Selma Ahatovic-Lihic)

The new RCC Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic (first left) chairs the first meeting of the RCC Board in 2013, in Sarajevo on 28 February 2013. (Photo: RCC/Selma Ahatovic-Lihic)

At its first meeting in 2013, the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Board decided to amend the statute and the list of participants of the organization, reflecting the results of the EU-mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Prishtina.

“The participation of Kosovo* in the Regional Cooperation Council is a confirmation of the organization’s full dedication to ensuring all-inclusiveness in our activities. It shows that the region is able to take responsibility for its own future and create conditions for overall progress in the spirit of tolerance and cooperation”, said Goran Svilanovic, RCC Secretary General, following the decision.

The RCC Board also discussed the draft RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2014-2016, and heard a report by Secretary General on activities of the organization’s Secretariat in the period October 2012-February 2013, as well as information on future plans.

The Board was informed about the 11th Coordination Meeting between the SEECP Troika (Serbia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Romania), the RCC Secretariat and the European Union, held yesterday.

The Board members congratulated Secretary General Svilanovic on the assumption of duties on 1 January 2013.

The 27-member RCC Board meets three times a year and is chaired by the RCC Secretary General. The Board provides the RCC with operational guidance and supervision. It consists of those RCC members contributing to the budget of the RCC Secretariat as well as the European Union.

The Report of the RCC Secretary General on the activities of the RCC Secretariat.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.